Because public statements are good for resolve

[beetiger]

I'm one of those folks who is a little bit mall-sensitive. I'm not sure if it's the mild claustrophobia, the mild social anxiety, the fact that I suck at parking, or the ambient noise, but generally I've got a limited tolerance. And during the holidays, it can get ridiculous. Hours of lingering misery and vague illness from a short lunchtime shopping trip.

So a few years ago, I started a personal tradition of not stepping into a mall or large chain department store from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving until Twelfth Night. I'll be doing that again this year.

It's not anti-consumerism, per se, though I do indeed have too much stuff and prefer any gifts to be wearable, consumable, virtual, or in the form of donations to organizations I believe in. I'll still be shopping for the holidays online and in smaller independent shops. It's personal care. I'm just happier that way.

Maybe you might be too.

Comments

[kores-rabbit.livejournal.com]

I assiduously avoid the toxic mall environment as much as I possibly can, year 'round. The holidays always knock me over, when I walk into the mall, with a wave of stress and anxiety from all the worried shoppers. I learned it's best if I just stay the heck away.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who makes this choice.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this. Every time I'm in a mall, I'm reminded that I'm so completely Not From the Same Planet as most of the other people who are shopping there.

The holidays make it even worse, with the overcrowding and ... people being positively sociopathic about competing for things like parking spaces and the last widget on the shelf. Good cheer my ass, these people would stab you and drive over you for the last parking space.

Eff that.

[sheherazahde.livejournal.com]

As Seth Meyers said: "Nothing puts people in the giving spirit like enduring a long stressful holiday with their family, hopping in the car half drunk in the middle of the night, and battling an angry mob over a tennis bracelet."

[sheherazahde.livejournal.com]

I need no resolve. I have not stepped into a maul in several years.

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

I will probably do the same. I have been in a mall once this year, and that was probably the first time in a few years, and I really disliked what it did to my mood and nerves. And this time of year, it's going to be hellish.

[redbird]

This is my usual policy. Work and life having been unexpectedly stressful the last several days, I may have to venture into a mall or department store in the next couple of weeks. If so, I am likely to take actual paid time off so I can do it in the morning, on a weekday, with no obligations afterward, so I can soothe my jangled nerves at a Chinatown noodle shop and/or the gym.

As usual, I'm the weird one

[allessindra.livejournal.com]

I actually enjoy the energy and crowds. Then again, I don't go into major stores for things -- mostly I went (when I could still get around enough) to this one particular mall that had kiosks in the middle of the walkways that sold interesting/incidental things. There was one that was there for years before suddenly getting a Real Store in the mall (that was exciting!). And another that had a tiny little shop in the mall, and suddenly moved to a Much Bigger Store. (unfortunately, a few years after that they stopped stocking what I always went to them for - odd and interesting coffees by the bean -- so meh on the move to be bigger and better. )

Then again, while I'm not energy-blind, I am, I've been told, rather adept at not taking other people's negativity into myself, even when it is directed at me.... the results of having an unpleasable overprotective whack-job for a mother, combined with every other adult in my life helping me work around her. I got large, long, strong lessons in "It's not you, it's her." *shrugs*

Malls can be fun - Lots of new things to look for, look at, think of in relation to other people, and license to spend money getting things. And then you give htem away, so they're not cluttering your house!

Alas, I can't walk as well anymore to wander them, nor do we have the money to start with. Holiday presents are gingerbread, and maybe candied ginger again this year. (Tho I'm thinking of convincing my husband to experiment with using pomegranate syrup instead of molasses in the gingerbread. Not sure what it would be, then....)

babbling now, going away

[ladyperegrine.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, definitely true for me. Though I can still handle freestanding bookstores and, well, Target.